2. An IP address has 32 bits divided into four octets
To make the address easier to read, people use decimal
numbers to represent the binary digits
Example: 192.168.1.1
Dotted decimal notation
When binary IP addresses are written in decimal format
2
IP Addressing
4. MAC address
Identifies a specific NIC in a computer on a network
Each MAC address is unique
TCP/IP networks can use MAC addresses in communication
Network devices cannot efficiently route traffic using MAC
addresses because they:
Are not grouped logically
Cannot be modified
Do not give information about physical or logical network
configuration
4
MAC to IP Address Comparison
5. Class A
Reserved for governments and large corporations throughout
the world
Each Class A address supports 16,777,214 hosts
Class B
Addresses are assigned to large- and medium-sized companies
Each Class B address supports 65,534 hosts
5
IP Classes and uses
6. 6
IP Classes and uses
• Class C
– Addresses are assigned to groups that do not meet the
qualifications to obtain Class A or B addresses
– Each Class C address supports 254 hosts
• Class D
– Addresses (also known as multicast addresses) are
reserved for multicasting
– Multicasting is the sending of a stream of data (usually
audio and video) to multiple computers simultaneously
